Since mobilising the line, Network Rail’s Team Orange has already demolished old platforms to make way for straighter ones with improved layouts, as well as decommissioning five signal boxes.

Work has already started on building a new platform at Kirkham and Wesham station, along with improving drainage, and they have began to install overhead power lines so that electric trains can run.

Northern Rail upgrading the line between Preston and Blackpool

Tracks at Blackpool North Station have been removed, and 24 engineering trains have been positioned along the route to support the upgrade.

The aim of the project is to transform train travel for customers across the North, making the railway bigger and better to cater for the increased volumes of people forecast to want to use it in future.

Over the remaining 18 weeks Network Rail engineers will carry out vital upgrades to track and platforms at Blackpool North and Kirkham & Wesham stations, with upgrades to signalling on both lines into Blackpool.

This includes installing 84 new signals to make journeys more reliable.

Network Rail’s London North Western route Managing director, Martin Frobisher, said: “We have made a great start to this phase of the Great North Rail Project.

“I am confident the short-term pain will be worth the long-term gain of transformed train travel in future.”

Regional Director at Northern, Sharon Keith, said: “This upgrade will pave the way for further improvements for our customers who, in the future, will benefit from brand new or fully refurbished electric trains – resulting in better journeys and, through our modernisation plan, better stations.”

Executive Director for customer, operations and safety at Virgin Trains on the west coast, Peter Broadley, said: “We know that upgrade works can impact on people’s travel plans.

“These particular works are being carried out by Network Rail to upgrade the railway between Preston and Blackpool.

“We have worked closely with Network Rail and industry partners to ensure alternative travel arrangements are in place.

“Customers travelling between London Euston and Blackpool should plan their journey in advance and check the National Rail enquiries website before travelling.”